262 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
ARE VARIETIES CONSTANT ? 
I ENDORSE most of Mr. De B. Crawshay’s remarks in your last issue (page 
244). He brings forward some very feasible arguments in support of his 
contention that varieties are in the main constant, and that the slight 
variations that do occur with Odontoglossum crispum are entirely due to 
the condition of the plant. I do not, however, quite agree with him when 
he says that when a plant has attained its maturity, that the ‘‘ down grade ” 
must necessarily follow until it ultimately die. That ‘‘ millions ” have died 
there is little room for doubt, but I incline to the belief that the true cause 
lies in another direction, and that it should not be disposed of quite so 
summarily. Neither can I follow him when the life ofan Orchid is compared 
to that of a human being. An analogy could perhaps be better drawn with 
a human being anda tree. They both spring up, attain their prime “ when 
their power is greatest,” and after attaining their majority dwindle and die, 
leaving behind their offspring to do likewise. But an Orchid, I believe, may 
go on for ever, if the conditions are suitable for its growth. Couldnot Orchids, 
judging by their manner of growth, be more closely compared to herbaceous 
plants, amongst which, if given proper cultivation, consisting principally of 
dividing and transplanting in suitable soil, senile decay is unknown ? 
It is not, however, to differ with Mr. Crawshay that I write. My object — 
is to answer his most pertinent question :— 
How ARE WE TO KEEP OUR PLANTS AT THEIR BEST ? 
This is a task at once easy and difficult. It is a question we are all 
trying to fathom, for we are all striving to become more and more familiar 
with the simple requirements of the various Orchids which we cultivate, 
some from a purely practical, others from a scientific, standpoint. Mention 
has been made that the chemist is attacking the question, and that Dr. 
Smee’s labours may be crowned with the success that they deserve is my 
wish. But I am mistrustful. I receive the news with gloomy forebodings, 
for does it not suggest an attempt at manurial aid? If we would keep our 
plants at their best let me here advise growers to shun manure as they would 
poison ; give it a wide berth until Mr. Chemist, who is able to tell us the 
component parts, also demonstrates to us in a practical and_ successful 
manner how to re-charge the plants with any particular element they may 
chance to lack. Beware! do not use it in any form until you know 
perfectly well what you are doing. 
Another good way to keep our plants at their best is to take the advice 
of those who write the « Calendars of Cultural Operations ” week by week, 
and month by month, in the various gardening periodicals and journals. 
They are practical men of great experience. They freely write in black and 
white for the benefit of others all that they have gleaned during many years 
